The Shire Horse, grooming and tacking

[@lucywilson9414]

for such a young horse the way he handles being tacked up and all the noises his tack makes, its amazing! hes really well trained

[@Darby.Brewer]

I'd ridden and owned hotbloods and warmbloods all my life before I got my Clyde on her second birthday. So chill. She may have missed the memo she was a horse. I've also worked at draft barns with Percherons of all ages. Pretty similar deal, even the foals. They seem to come practically bombproof. Very little rattles them. I was worried my girl would make me lose my horse sense until I ended up working at a large eventing barn. Young OTTBs galore. Fortunately, I still had it. My big girl definitely spoiled me though. The big un's are often the sweetest. The ponies and minis are the real challenges. :D

[@alexie832]

I love it when horses have feathered hooves. It's so beautiful

[@lilaxc1124]

Everyone keeps pointing out stuff like "why are carriage rides a thing horses are treated so poorly" "it's animal abuse" "he's in pain because his hooves need trimming" "he's so thin" "horses should be free to run around". This horse is well looked after, first of all he is not in pain he has been trained to walk like this from a young age. Some horses enjoy working because eating all day is just completely boring for them so it's not "abuse" to make them pull a cart. Most horses generally don't run around because they're too busy eating unless they see a new horse or it's windy or lightly raining etc and because of this they can get colic and become in pain and can get obese, then it can be hard for them to walk.

[@erinonfire70]

Lilaxc yeah i know, in every horse video there are these people who dont know a fig about horse who are like "ooooh ABUSE", "let him run around!" "You dont treat him properly!" You put ginger on his tail so he sticks it up!" Geez if you have a horse you treat him or her well now just enjoy the damn video

[@astrazenica7783]

Horse looks in fine health, perfectly content

[@em-nn9ip]

Annalise Hudson-Gordon pulling and carrying are different, annalise. even that chick with red hair knows that

[@alliechampagne1404]

For a four year old, Louis is extremely well behaved! He handles & minds like an old pro! Lovely Shire.

[@stephaniemccord6100]

Got to love those gentle giants. Thought I saw him lick his handler's head when he was drying his foot in the bucket. Too cute.

[@jackierogers5064]

Very impressive! A joy to be a silent observer. Thank you for allowing us to visit.

[@juliaelrod2154]

He knows what's up. He can't wait to get out there. What a pretty boy.🤩

[@dinger149]

oh how I wish my dad was still around. as a kid (I'm now 65) I was taken to the shows. dad could plait! many asked him to do my horse.He turned out top class show harness. drive any thing from single to six in hand and was big mates with the boys that did the shows. won many top rosettes and cups. a lost art. the sawdust is or was a well known practice. the show box at home was full of spares like canoba wax raffia grass and the many other things.yes a real past art.

[@biddydibdab9180]

What a wonderful, patient horse.🥰

[@rei_cirith]

I love Shires... they've got the most gentle eyes of all horse breeds. Gentle giants, all of 'em.

[@tyravanpelt3028]

the first one to two of the most of

[@rei_cirith]

Tyra Van Pelt huh?

[@canteringon.x6127]

reicirith gentle giants XD Horses aren't gentle. They are friendly but if you said to a horse be calm around my 2 year old please and if they come round the back please don't kick. They aren't going to understand that so they will kick

[@stanfemalesonly745]

Zebby Zoo some are very gentle and very honest.

[@alvakingrock6927]

Zebby Zoo Well duh they stand behind the horse which is a big no-no. You could easily prevent that

[@kayla_thomson_x3290]

I have a shire horse!! He's a big fella at 17.5 hands He's massive but I love him dearly He's my big n fat baby boy named Buddy!! I had him since foal and I was only little he's 6 now and im 13 so me and my trainer brought out the best in him and started to work well with him through the years. The bond between us is unbreakable X He's MY LIFE xx We have started Jumping That's one of my best achievements is to jump I worked loads and loads and hopefully these next 4 years he could be an all rounder he's very well behaved and ready to try and do his best x

[@morganroach1703]

17.5hh???

[@fi0re_824]

Those walking sounds are satisfying XD

[@ayane4151]

Louis is ADORABLE

[@rikkejensen6136]

Such a calm and peaceful creature for his young age. Impressive horse! :-)

[@Dawniee]

He's beautiful! But I think those hoofs need trimming a bit :P

[@Gingersnap27239]

they are fine they have longer hoofs then opther horses to prtect agenst the pavment these horse are well cared for

[@8literbeater]

Gingersnap27239 He is wearing shoes to protect the hooves. It's pretty silly to say that these horses are well cared for, when his hooves are obviously overdue for a trim.

[@Gingersnap27239]

8literbeater they are not overdue for any trim Clydesdale tend to have longer feet then other breds. My friend who is a vet and the farrier we use says they look fine it is the owners prefrence but that length is very common on that bred. those horses are treated like kings and very well cared for. I saw them in person so i would know

[@alphasnowsong9641]

Gingersnap27239 I may not know much but I'm pretty sure the video is about a SHIRE not a Clydesdale and I know plenty well they arnt the same thing. Just because their both draft horses doesn't mean they are the same thing. Along with that what does any of this have to do with a Clydesdale

[@alphasnowsong9641]

jacques dubois try to be more mature instead of attacking people when your clearly not being Threatened. You would probably have more people respect you if you didn't lose your temper so quickly :/

[@sarafayelawton652]

The Shires are just gorgeous

[@zuzannacechini9265]

"this is a very special dust all the way from Scotland" he says, just as he continuously spills all of it on the floor. omg I died hahahah

[@KaregoAt]

I've never seen healthy hooves that long on a horse, not even a shire, and there are two shires at the stable I go to. They're so long they're starting to curl upwards! Sure, their hooves are bigger and wider than a warmblood's, but those look outrageous! He is walking very unnaturally, especially with his hind legs. It could either be the long hooves or the impact shock to the joints from walking with shoes on a hard concrete floor. The hooves can't cushion and take the impact like they are meant to when the horse has shoes on.

[@biddyboo8]

Exactly why, if and when I get a horse, I won't be using shoes.

[@KaregoAt]

Fatrick Stare Good to hear :) There's really no need for shoes, and if you need extra protection or traction for different terrains or for winter, you can just use Easyboots or something like that. They allow for movement in the hoof and still protect it and provide grip when needed.

[@bri8482]

Most draft horses wear special shoes to create a square shaped hoof. It is found in pulling and shoe drafts not so much riding drafts. It's believed to help their traction when they worked on dirt roads. And not all shoes are bad. Many horses need them due to a conformation fault or injury all obviously human error but they do help the horse and only hinder them when not done correctly. And he is walking weird because it seems to have a sickled hock and they are also trained to have an exaggerated gait. But the poor horses at your barn need some urgent care if they are curling up thats just not healthy no matter what the breed.

[@KaregoAt]

+Hedgehog Hugger I was talking about the horse in the video, his hooves are starting to curl. The horses at my stable both have very healthy hooves.

[@AzureHeartSong]

They are called Scotch Bottoms and they were originally designed to give the pulling horses a bigger surface area so they would be able to walk over snow or marsh ground easier. However, modern day drafts wear them for 2 reasons. They are traditional and they force the horse to walk with exaggerated movements. Drafts in show are shod like this as a rule. It's pointless, damaging, and stupid in my opinion. I ride a Belgian draft horse and she is kept barefoot and trimmed accordingly. She is a capable athlete and loves to run. None of that would be true if I forced her to wear Scotch Bottoms.

[@lorettavanhaasteren2776]

Such an amazingly calm young horse!

[@brookewolfnight]

What a beautiful well behaved horse

[@maeeliz]

Such a beautiful horse. 😍🐴🐎

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

Louis is very handsome.

[@SarahAParis]

My Shire Horse Dante is a great big sweetie. He loves his bath and grooming, and when you find an itch he'll lean into you while you scratch it. His lips sag, and he sticks out his tongue and starts grunting. It's so cute.

[@aaliyahngamlert7591]

EVERYONE COMMENTING ABOUT HIS FEET READ BELOW Horses that pull brewery carts etc around are more than likely walking on Tarmac roads and other rough surfaces His shoes are made special to ensure his feet don't wear down because if he was to wear normal shoes they would wear down super fast , They protect his feet and are a lot thicker and heavy duty than normal shoes , hope this helped x

[@denisefuentes1352]

I would be talking to him the whole time. Beautiful

[@clarissamatteo4133]

Che cavalli spettacolari. ❤️Davvero grandi e meravigliosi. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tazmunster7646]

Beautiful. Hope you all survive the madness.

[@ilovethosedirtyboots1392]

I bet that horse doesn't smell like a horse I bet it smells like peaches and cupcakes. I've never seen more healthy horse in my life! I bet he loves what he has!

[@elleschimmel7854]

He was walking really heavily he seemed to be picking his feet up really high. It may just be me but my Belgian doesn't walk like that

[@equestrian2169]

i taught the same thing

[@abrahamstone1415]

me to not only you i fell the same way

[@KM-px8cs]

It seems to be from him needing a farrier and not liking the horse shoes.

[@mariarypdal1279]

Same

[@Ella-ct4yo]

yea it looks a bit cruel.

[@yeahwelcometotheinternet._9766]

What a cute horse!

[@dooorisscpowerhhh2860]

When the shire walks im like "Omfg! so fricking CUTE!"

[@acegamer_mcpe5064]

He's so handsome Such a amazing Breed of horse I have a Dark bay throughbred😄

[@monkmonkmonkandmonk8343]

Beautiful horse! :)

[@zenderman4913]

I love the sound of shire horses when they walk

[@onetuliptree]

beautiful horse, but walks like feet hurt

[@thatlilsavannah2041]

yeah I noticed that, I wonder why it look very unhealthy

[@abrahamstone1415]

its not healthy savannah bowen

[@thatlilsavannah2041]

Abraham Stone yea i thought so

[@stevic.9858]

tahoedewey they DON'T

[@Olivia-kn1ur]

tahoedewey it's the horses gait

[@JustAnotherEquestrianCCJ]

so cute!! I love shires, but his hooves look a little to long :/ and ik shires hooves are big i have been around them but i think his need trimmed!!

[@fandomtrash95]

a little :3

[@Gingersnap27239]

they are fine

[@sbeventing]

+JustAnotherEquestrian they're completely fine! It is a type of foot called Scotch Bottoms! Scotch bottoms date back to over 200 years ago! So there's no need to be saying that when Scotch Bottoms have been around for hundreds of years =)

[@susandemeritt2216]

JustAnotherEquestrian same

[@tanyagarcia3721]

What a patient horse

[@lindsaygonzales3598]

Anyone else notice the duck feet?!

[@celinasverden7215]

Wow the shire it's cute and high!

[@jenniferjuniper97]

Louis deserves a pint! Cheers for the vid.

[@friedagrohmann8392]

omg this is a verry nice horse ...😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@melindafowler6857]

I love your darft horses!

[@suzannemarienau2760]

Louis is such a beautiful horse and is so well behaved! He has the sweetest face. He does look like a visit from the farrier is needed. I love these gentle giants!

[@BRPFan]

Is that a John Deere harness? With all the Deeres in the harness? Amazing horse 👍👍👍

[@mollyalice920]

"today is a special day because Louis is on camera" *dies inside from cuteness*

[@kellymcheart6498]

the hoofs...the need to be fixed!

[@AzureHeartSong]

It's a traditional shoe called a Scotch Bottom. They are supposed to be that way.

[@kellymcheart6498]

AzureHeartSong ah ok thanks

[@bobewel3432]

I have 5 draft horse ( 2of them shires) and none of their hooves look like that

[@AzureHeartSong]

+Bob Ewel Do you show them?

[@bobewel3432]

+AzureHeartSong 4 of them show and one of them pulls carts

[@jenniedorsey5294]

The horses are beautiful

[@erin_749]

I like how everyone is just talking about his hooves.

[@M3rVsT4H]

I am genuinely amazed and impressed by the amount of Farriers on the internet. Not to mention the surprising number of heavy horse experts. How lucky are these horse owners, there they were thinking they had a Shire who was well cared for. But it turns out they have a clydesdale with overgrown toenails. Great work internet!! You've saved the day again.

[@sylvieh5209]

I know everyone in the comments is saying this but if you don't get his hooves trimmed soon then you could be seriously damaging his feet and ability to walk.

[@AzureHeartSong]

What I find interesting is the way you groomed and tacked up your horse. When I was driving horses, I put the collar on first, then the saddle, then the britching, then the hames. I would throw the tugs over its back until it was time to hook up. After my horse was harnessed, I'd plait or braid the mane. Grooming took place before the harness was put on, obviously. Our horses did not wear Scotch Bottoms either. They were shod normally with 2 toe clips.

[@cadencediscowater9200]

actually my grandpa owned big horses like him and that is how shores feet are they lift there feet high bc of the wheight I belive

[@annetteunsworthqhht]

No...they lift their hooves that way because they are walking on their heels, will trip over the toe and the horses (shire) hooves are grown that way for an exaggerated action...same as Tennessee walking horses are made to have elongated toes. It ruins them eventually.

[@Darby.Brewer]

@@annetteunsworthqhht Okay, for one, I love your name. For two, you're dead on. My Clyde was this way before I got a proper trim on her.

[@AppaloosaDreams]

@@annetteunsworthqhht oh.... I thought, something was not right about his hooves damn shame, :(

[@vikina6100]

Wow he is beatiful

[@deniserippee6741]

I hate it when people put or do things to animals in order to make it more pleasing for people to look at ....i.e. the shoes they said they put on gorgeous Louis are made for him to lift his legs higher because people like it???? Do what is right and comfortable for the horse. What a lovely horse Louis is.

[@stellaritchie1776]

I come from Glasgow and when I was a wee girl I helped to look after one called bill is loved him so much he was a good horse in loved looking after him he was a coal horse xx

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

The stable is beautiful I wonder when it was built ?

[@susandemeritt2216]

Omg I love horse and he is amazing

[@DanishButterCookie]

Needs Farrier work. and theres no need for docking his tail, just tie up his tail. ive seen very simple tail braids pulling the tail up

[@elashaclifford7341]

Not to sound rude but the hooves look quite overdue for trimming. Beautiful horse though and thank you for the video.

[@Froby2378]

I am rude, his hooves are atrocious! ;)

[@emilieguillon-equitation421]

Very interesting. Sorry for all the négative comments

[@xStateofSleepx]

His feet are extremely flat, poor boy... needs a good farrier to do some corrective work there. The strain on his fetlock joints must be massive, especially at his size.

[@JackieGreen71]

Working Drafts have a different style of feet work done. The splayed wall helps them grip the ground better when pulling heavy loads on non-hard surfaces(much like a camels toes splay on sand). So.. his feet are fine.

[@LeSuperFishe]

xStateofSleepx of course there flat its a draft you moron

[@dawnshoweranimates8214]

Draft horses have a different style of hoof. They're more bulky and and long for gripping purposes.

[@annaliejansevanrensburg2186]

Beautiful horse! :) My daughter is getting one. Any tips and advice!

[@palominiocrazy2432]

LOUIS IS SO CUTE

[@HmainTomlinson]

His feathers are sooooo white! Like the idea of saw dust to dry them!

[@0c0r4s]

Get those hooves fixed, they are way too long!

[@catsendra3711]

It's normal for shares they need long hooves to protect them on pavement

[@0c0r4s]

CatSendra because the pavement wears (spelling?) them down or what?

[@8literbeater]

CatSendra He's wearing shoes to prevent hoof wear, genius.

[@jennak7423]

CatSendra it's better for them to not have shoes since it's less painful for the horse and then at least his hooves will wear away a little bit. But then again they don't really care.

[@dianebaker1265]

HE IS BEAUTYFUL

[@L2design]

KING LOUIS!!! WHAT A GORGEOUS HORSIE!! SPECIAL INDEED!!!

[@C02045]

There is a fortune of vintage Land Rovers there too!

[@samanthasowell6350]

I know everyone is saying he looks like his feet hurt but I noticed his knees are so turned in the back it seems like he steps high to get them past each other without them knocking together. I don't know though I'm no horse expert. He's a pretty horse regardless and a very good boy to tolerate that process.

[@livopalborn1332]

Could somebody educate me on what sort of shoe Luis may be wearing, and why it causes his hoof to look ingrown? Also, does it have something to do with him picking his feet up high?

[@emzyandsquadadventures8254]

Right this isn't how a horse or a shire horse should walk I have six at my stable that my parents own and they don't walk like that and it's hooves look too long as I can see they start to curl which isn't a good sign

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

He’s a handsome boy ❤️

[@rqflections616]

amazing but why does he take hes feet so high when he walk?

[@TheChaoticStorm]

+Lucy Greenbridge He also has on very uncomfortable shoes.

[@shammydammy2610]

+Freja Catbell Because of the farrier work done on him. The longer a foot/heavier a shoe, the more exaggerated the movement of the gait.

[@rylanaustin8837]

Malene they need trimmed and they are hurting him. His hoods are toooooooo long

[@michellewells971]

I love the big boys and girls.

[@emmaaoc852]

omg how cute can a horse be???! 😨😢😙😙😙

[@savannahequestrian1468]

my horse Angel is cuter or maybe she's just spoiled idk but that shire is to die for😍😍

[@Kevin.Souder]

How much does it cost to get everything you have on the Shire? I have a Belgian I'm teaching to drive and I'd love everything you have!

[@nickleson5963]

Listen. Shires weigh a lot, all draft and cold blooded horses do, therefore, their weight causes their hooves to "pancake". Their hooves go out due to all their weight, have you noticed that? I once rode a clydesdale and he picked his feet up like that. No biggie! This horse is well looked after, and for horses that are bred for pulling loads, they enjoy it!

[@Jaydarox213]

He is waaaaay too cute! Lol but if you got stepped on that would really hurt

[@catbarr924]

I got stepped on by a 19 year old fully grown Shire once. It wasn't fun!

[@elsie6464]

Ive been stepped on by my 15hh lesson horse 😑 so i cant imagine the pain of a 20hh horse 😶

[@monikazielinska3352]

She or he looks so cute😳😳😌😁😳😁😌😳😁😌

[@arack071]

IT SO CUTE!!!! 😍

[@alishal6031]

Good video.... I think the horses hooves need a trimming though...

[@srequestriansr8825]

Buetiful baby of yours I love Louis

[@ladyj1254]

He's so beautiful! And and all the military looking hardware really adds to his majesty. ...but I don't understand the purpose of the strange looking red bows 🤔

[@ily2739]

Louis is gorgeous

[@equestrian_becca.x4633]

it looks like they are well looked after, gental giants

[@melindafowler6857]

louis is so pretty

[@mark223rem]

I love horse riding

[@carolynneser4067]

magnificent but i thouight tail docking was banned, or is it only for dogs? would seem a horse needs his tail even MORE to keep the flies off ..

[@sfwarhawk]

Big horses, such as Clydesdales, Shires, and Draught Horses get their tails docked because the owners do not want the tail getting stuck in the machinery or other stuff that the horse is carrying or pulling.

[@rileypowell737]

he is very cute I love Clydesdale s

[@Judy-ie1zz]

He's a Shire....

[@happyhoofbeatsrescuecentre3272]

Who else here is a Directioner because Louis is adorable and the actual Louis Tomlinson is adorable too!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@aletl]

mee! Tommo was actually the first thing I thought about when I read the horse's name

[@happyhoofbeatsrescuecentre3272]

+adorablashtxn x yeah.As soon as I read the horses name, I started fangirling

[@ashketchum1377]

+Midnight Macaulay what is the relevance I don't understand lmao

[@lauraantonelli5130]

MEEEE!!!

[@windchaser12]

People... those hooves are fine! Damn fubared know-it-alls...

[@cloey7680]

Julia Richards are you talk to yourself cause i don’t see anyone who else you’d be talking to 😂

[@ryleighdanford8137]

Those hooves looked painful.

[@pnygrl99]

It's annoying when people just don't take care of their animals!!!

[@fandomtrash95]

his hooves are fine. he'd be limping

[@ryleighdanford8137]

savanna rose Not always, sometimes when a horse has bad hooves it's not lame. If you do more research you'll know that.

[@foxzgaming6929]

Ryleigh Danford wrong

[@ryleighdanford8137]

GummypupAJ No I'm not.

[@MichaelvanNiekerk]

The dust used on the feathers - where can one get it?

[@judithnavarrete5920]

Hey, could you get it?

[@blondilox4137]

GORGEOUS

[@shellyc7629]

when i was young i use to wach this millions of time!!

[@silverkitty2503]

OMG the young first one looks like noddy!

[@pauletteryan1501]

just Wonderful .!love those guyss¡!!!....

[@markr.cuthbert109]

Nice Looseboxes.

[@iFrostNight]

He is a working horse and put on for show a bit. The shoes just enhance his walk, though may seem cruel, there are other ways to make a horse walk this way. Such as soreing. An act in which a horse's lower legs are dressed and wrapped in painful chemicals that make the animal lift its legs to escape the pain. Personally, if I wished to have my shire walk this way, I would take the shoes over the soreing. Though I hope his toesies were trimmed some point soon. o3o

[@fandomtrash95]

yea some point soon, but not that second. they may have not checked his hooves after the ride

[@sweettrubble4635]

I guess these handsome guys know when they get their feet washed, they will be "on" pretty soon. 😊

[@erinonfire70]

Everyones like "oooh look at his hooves!" Blah blah blah! I mean come on just enjoy the damn video and calm down you cant do anything about it and im no expert but they look fine to me